 |
 |
 |
|
|
Assad speech seen from Beirut (AP file)
|
|
|
|
|
|
| By Israel Insider staff and partners August 16, 2006 |
|
| |
In another sign of confusion and contradictions that have characterized Israeli policy in recent weeks, foreign ministry officials came out against deals with Syria a day after the Defense Minister and Foreign Minister called for negotiations with that nation.
Defense Minister Amir Peretz said earlier in the week that "every war creates opportunities for an extensive diplomatic process," and that "we need to hold negotiations with Lebanon and lay the groundwork for negotiations with Syria."
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said Tuesday hat "There is international agreement regarding the role Syria played until today and the change it has to make in order to be accepted by the international community and to play a more positive role." She called for negotiations with the Syrians. She hoped that the terms of the cease-fire, including the removal of Hezbollah from southern Lebanon, would bode well for a "new Middle East."
Wednesday the government was singing a different tune. Syria has firmly aligned itself with Islamic extremists and cannot be considered a partner for peace, Israeli officials said Wednesday, after Syria's president praised Hezbollah guerrillas in a hardline speech.
The Prime Minister's Office released a statement saying that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert opposed negotiations with Syria because the country was part of the "axis of evil."
Israel considers Syria, along with Iran, as the main arms suppliers for Hezbollah, which fought Israel in a 34 day conflict that ended Monday. Under a cease-fire deal, 30,000 Lebanese and U.N. troops were to be deployed along the Israel-Lebanon border to prevent weapons from reaching Hezbollah.
It is not clear whether Israel would now target Syrian weapons shipments to Lebanon. Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said the international force is to monitor Lebanon's border crossings to make sure weapons aren't smuggled in.
"If those parts (of the cease-fire) are not implemented, that's a violation of the cease-fire," Regev said. He said Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who is meeting with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan in New York, is lobbying for a firm international stand on the embargo.
Israeli security officials said the military hasn't received instructions yet from Israel's political leaders on how to act if arms shipments are spotted en route to Lebanon.
Syrian President Bashar Assad was unexpectedly outspoken Tuesday in his attack on the West and praise for Hezbollah. He said Hezbollah had ruined U.S. plans to reshape the region. "The Middle East they (the Americans) aspire to ... has become an illusion," he said in Damascus.
"We tell them (Israelis) that after tasting humiliation in the latest battles, your weapons are not going to protect you -- not your planes, or missiles, or even your nuclear bombs ... The future generations in the Arab world will find a way to defeat Israel," Assad added.
Regev said the speech underscored Syria's intention to scuttle the cease-fire.
"For the Syrians, Hezbollah is a foreign policy tool," Regev said. Assad "is aligning himself with extreme elements, and it is difficult to see him as a part of negotiations, as a partner in peace."
Israeli-Syrian peace talks on the return of the Golan Heights, captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast War, broke down in 2000. Assad said Tuesday he's still interested in getting the Golan back in peace talks, but suggested the strategic plateau could eventually be taken by force.
"The Israeli leadership ... is before a historic crossroads," Assad said. "Either it moves toward peace and gives back rights or it faces constant instability until an (Arab) generation comes and puts an end to the issue."
Assad's speech also drew criticism in parts of the Arab world.
The Saudi Al-Watan newspaper said in an unsigned editorial Wednesday that Assad tried to latch on to what it described as Hezbollah's victory.
"Yesterday, Syrian President Bashar Assad tried to take credit for the victory that the Lebanese people have achieved, claiming that no one had been convinced of his vision for the future," wrote the paper.
"The various Syrian statements have never given an explanation as to why not a single bullet has been fired from Syrian lands in the direction of Israel since 1973," said the editorial.
|
|
 
|
|
|
|
Click on the blue headline to read a Talkback comment and respond to it. Click on the  icon to send a private email to the talkback writer. The icon appears only if the writer has decided to be contacted. If no popup window appears, please make sure your popup blocker allows israelinsider.com.
|
|
| |
|
|
